Automatic musical instrument



L.-H. MAIER AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED 1mm, 1911.

1,356,107, I Patented Oct 19,1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 'l.

L. H. MAIER.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.25, 1917.

L. H. MAIER. AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATlON HLED JAN.25, 1917 1,356,107.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

jam

3 nve'nfo z I Patented Oct. 19, 1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS H. MAIER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Application filed January 25, 1917.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Lours H. MAIER, a citizenof the United States, and resident of New York city, borough of theBronx, in the county of the Bronx and State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Musical Instruments, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic musical instruments,and has particular reference to such instruments wherein the action iscontrolled by pneumatically operating devices in turn controlled throughthe medium of a perforated music sheet traveling over a tracker bar. Anobject of my invention is to automatically control the variations in therendition of a musical composition entirely through the medium of suchmusic sheet.

A further object of my invention is to provide novel means, controlledby the music sheet, to cause lowering or raising of the pneumatictension in the pneumatic action chest, according to the requiredexpression in the musical composition, such means being controlled bythe traveling music sheet.

In carrying out my invention I provide a tracker bar with one or moreopenings additional to the usual note orifices thereof, which openingsare in communication with the aforesaid means for causing lowering orraising of the general tension in the pneumatic action chest, the musicsheet being provided with perforations,supplemental or additional to theusual note perforations thereof, to cooperate with said additionaltracker openings to cause operation of said means to control the degreeof general tension in the action chest, or a section or divisionthereof, according to the degree of such tension required in the chestor a section thereof, for the production of the desired expression atany part of a musical composition being rendered. \Vhile my saidimprovements may be operated in direct connection with a non-dividedaction chest, they are also adapted for use in connection with a dividedaction chest, for which purpose I provide the tracker bar with one ormore other openings, additional to the aforesaid additional openingsthereof, being in Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 19, 1920.

Serial No. 144,472.

communication with means adapted for select1on of the divisions of adivided action chest, in accordance with a perforation or perforatlonsin the music sheet (supplemental to the usual note perforations thereof)that pass over the second named additional openings in the tracker, suchsupplemental perforations being so located in the music sheet as to opento atmosphere said second named additional tracker opening or openingsaccording to the action chest, or any section or sections thereof, is tobe effected for expression of the musical composition as required.

In accordance with the foregoing the traveling music sheet, by means ofthe aforesaid supplemental perforations therein, will automaticallycontrol the expression of parts of the musical composition beingrendered, whether the tension is raised or lowered from the previoustension in the action chest, or in an appropriate section or sectionsthereof, when the expression is to be varied.

The aforesaid devices for controlling the degree of general tension inthe action chest may be used in conjunction with a nondivided actionchest to which they would be directly connected, while the second namedadditional openings in the tracker in conjunction with the second namedsupplemental perforations in the music sheet may be utilized forcontrolling the hammer-rail raising devices of a piano action, said lastnamed tracker openings being respectively connected to pneumatics foroperating portions of the hammer-rail, an example of which hammer-railraising mechanism, to which my present improvements are thuslyapplicable, being set forth in Letters Patent granted to me Nov. 21,1911, No. 1,009,330.

My invention further comprises novel details of improvement andcombinations of parts that will be more fully hereinafter set forth andthen pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanyin drawings forming part hereof,wherein, igure 1 is a partly sectional view more or lessdiagrammatically illustrating my improvements; Fig. 1 is a detail ofvalve mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a partly sectional front elevation, enlarged, of my novelimprovements for controlling the degree of exhaust tension required atvarious parts of a musical composition Fig. 3 is a section substantiallyon the line 3, 3, in Fig. 2; V

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a valve chest hereinafterreferred to;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail illustrating a modified form of tensioncontrolling means; and i and music sheet adapted for use in connectionwith my improvements.

in the drawings the numeral 1 indicates a tracker bar of any suitable orusual construction, having the usual note orifices 2, for connectionby'tubes 3 with the valves of pneumatics 4 of the action, whichpneumatics are operated by the tension in the action chest 5 in any wellknown or desired manner. in accordance with my invention a single may beutilized. in the drawings 1 have illustrated the action chest as havingthree sections 6, 7, 8 respectively corresponding to the bass, tenor andtreble of a piano or organ, although the chest may have any desirednumber of sections. Tension may be maintained in the action chest or thesections thereof by any suitable exhaust mechanism, such as foot pumpingbellows, or an electrically operated exhaust pump indicated generally at9, my improved means for selec ing the section or sections of the actioncnest for the desired expression to be rendered at any part of a musicalcomposition, as well as the improved means for controlling the degree ofexpression then to be rendered being shown interposed between the actionchest and the exhaust means.

The selecting devices for controlling the sections of the action chestrequired for any desired expression of a musical composition, may bedescribed as follows: A board or block 10 is provided with a channel 11in communication through a tube or pipe a with the exhaust means 9,which channel 11 is in communication through a port, 12 with a channelor chest 13 shown located between block 10 and the board or cover 14,and channel 11 also communicates through ported passages 15, 16, 1'7with the interior of corresponding expression pneumatics 18, 19, 20shown located upon board or block 10. The passages 15, 16, 17 havebleeds 15, 16, 17 respectively communicating with the cor respondingpneumatics, to counteract the tendency to hold the movable boards of thepneumatics against the ports when the former entirely close the latter.The movable boards of said pneumatics are connected with correspondingpull-springs 21, 22, 23, shown respectively connected with sup ports 24,which springs have suitable tension in accordance with the tension towhich a Fig. 6 is a view illustrating a tracker bar action chest ordivided action chestcorresponding section-of the action chest is to becut down. Each of the pneumatics has communication through acorresponding passage 25, 26, 27 with channel 13, and each of saidpassages is in communication with a corresponding passage 28, 29, 30 inboard or block 10. The last named passages are in communication withcorresponding sections of the action chest. The passage 28 is shownconnected by tube 31 with the bass section 6, the passage 29 is shownconnected by tube 32 with the tenor section 7, and the passage 30 isshown connected by tube 33 with the treble section 8, of themtion chest.The unrestricted exhaust maintained will be from the sections of theaction chest through the tubes 31, 32, 33 and the corresponding passagesdescribed, to the channel 13, and thence through port 12 and tube a tothe exhaust means, the movable boards of the aforesaid pneumatics beingnormally collapsed when not controlled by perforations in the musicsheet, said hoards being drawn against the ports 15, 16, 17respectively, against the tension of their corresponding springs. lViththe pneumatics in such positions the ordinary or normal rendition of amusical composition may occur according to the tension maintained in theexhaust means. When expression is desired differing from the normalrendition in a part or parts of a musical composttion being rendered,the direct flow of air from the corresponding section or sections of theaction chest'to the channel 13 is cut oil so that such flow will bethrough the corresponding pneumatic or pneumatics according to thetension of the springs. For such purpose the passages 25, 26, 27 areshown provided with seats 34, 35, 36 respectively, in channel 13,opposing dia phragms or pouches 37, 38, 39 secured upon board or block14 overcorresponding recesses 40, 41, 42, bleeds at 43 being showncommunicating with said recesses and with channel 13. Tubes 44, 45, 46,communicate respectively with the recesses 40, 41, 42, and

are respectively in communication with openings 47, 48, 49 in trackerbar 1, additional to and at one end of the series of usual note orifices2 therein. The perforated sheet 5 that is adapted to travel over trackerbar 2, and to be operated for such purpose by any well known means, isprovided with side perforations c, d, e, (additional to the usual noteperforations 7) that are' adapted respectively to pass over the openings47, 48, 49 of the tracker bar. When one of such perforations 0, cl or 6passes over one or" thelast named tracker bar openings, air will beadmitted to the corresponding recesses 40, 41 or 42 to cause itscorresponding diaphragm to be drawn against the corresponding seat 34,35, or 36, whereby to shut off corresponding tube 31, 32, or 33 fromdirect communication through channel 13 and port 12 with channel 11, andto cause communication from such tube to be through the correspondingpassage and port in block 12 into the corresponding pneumatic and thencethrough its port 15, 16 or 17 to channel 11, whereupon the correspondingpneu-v matic will be operated to permit a restricted flow through it inaccordance with the tension of its spring 21, 22, or 23, thereby reducing the exhaust tension from the corresponding section of the actionchest below that tension maintained in tube a, leaving one or another ofsaid pneumatics unaffected. When the music sheet next covers suchopening 0, (Z, or 0 atmosphere will be cut off from the recess 40, 41 or42, and, by reason of bleed 43, the corresponding diaphragm will bemoved away from seat 34, 35, or 36, whereby the corresponding pneumaticwill resume its first mentioned inactive position, and flow from thecorresponding section of the action chest will be again direct tochannel 13, as before described.

By means of the arrangements described a reduction of tension in asecton of the action chest will be effected whenever the correspondingperforation 0, d, or e of the music sheet admits atmosphere to thetracker opening 47, 48, or 49 and the remaining section or sections ofthe action chest will continue under the exhaust in pipe a. If all ofthe perforations c, d, e, of the music sheet pass over all of theopenings 47, 48, 49 of the tracker at once, all of the pneumatics 18, 19and 20 will be operated, in the manner described, to cause reduction oftension in all sections of the action chest simultaneously. The actionof the striker pneumatics controlled through sections of the actionchest will be modified from their operation due to the tension presentin tube a whenever atmosphere is admitted through the music sheet to oneof the openings 47, 48, or 49 of the tracker bar, for reducing musicaltones produced by such pneumatic or pneumatics.

The above described devices which control selection of the sections ofthe action chest to vary the exhaust tension therein, may be directlyconnected through tube a with the exhaust means 9, but in order tocontrol the degree of exhaust tension or suction to be in the pneumaticaction chest, as required, according to the desired rendition of amusical composition, I interpose between the aforesaid action chestselecting devices and the exhaust means 9 (hence between the latter andthe action chest) means adapted to cause the full general degree ofexhaust tension to be maintained in the selecting devices or the actionchest, or any desired modification of such general tension, according toexpression desired at any part or parts in the rendition of a musicalcomposition, such means being controlled through the medium of theperforations g, h, i, in the music sheet, additional to its usualperforations f and to the perforations c, d, 6, and in order to controlthe action of said interposed means asrequired, I provide what I term astepping device adapted, by reason of said additional perforations g, h,z in the note sheet admitting atmosphere thereto as required, to causethe operation of said intermediate general tension-degree controllingmeans, as required. The last named means may be described as follows: Ina board or block 50 a channel 51 is provided having communicationthrough a port 52 with a channel shown located between said board 50 anda board 54. The channel 53 is shown in communication through a pipe ortube 55 with the exhaust means 9 for maintaining corresponding exhausttension in channel 53. Upon board 50 are located pneumatics 56, 57, 58,the movable boards of which are shown connected with springs 59, 60, 61respectively, which springs are connected with corresponding supports 62shown mounted on board 50. Ports 63, 64, 65 provide communicationbetween channel 51 and the corresponding pneumatics 56, 57, 58. Passages66, 67, 68 provide communication between channel 53 and thecorresponding pneumatics 56, 57, 58. Said passages are shown providedwith seats 69, 70, 71 within the corresponding pneumatic 56, 57 58 andadapted to coact with the movable board thereof. Said seats are shownprovided with bleeds. The passages 66 and 67 are shown provided withseats 72 and 73 respectively within channel 53, and the port 52 is shownprovided with a seat 74 communicating in said channel. From theforegoing it will be understood that general tension in tube a, and inthe action chest and its controlling devices before described, will bemaintained from the exhaust means 9 through pipe 55, channel 53, port52, and channel 51 to tube a, and such tension may be varied in tube a,hence in the action chest, by cutting off the direct tension fromchannel 53 to exhaust means 9 through pipe 55, and shunting such exhaustthrough one or moreof the pneumatics 56, 57, 58 according to the tensionof its spring. Such action will be caused by reason of the perforationsg, ii, i of the music sheet passing over corresponding openings 7', 70,m, in the tracker 1, and in the example illustrated, such action iscontrolled according to the desired expression to be rendered, inaccordance with the operation of the aforesaid stepping device throughthe admission of atmosphere into the opening j, 70, m. To cause closingof the port 52 and the passages 66, 67, as required, to cause operationof the corresponding pneumatics 58, 56 and 57, according to the degreeof tension at any time desired in the action chest or in its sections, Iprovide diaphragms 75, 7 6, 77 adapted respectively to cooperate withthe seats 72, 7 3, 7a, which diaphragms are shown secured upon board 5 1over corresponding recesses 78, 79, 80 therein, whereby if atmosphere beadmitted to either of said recesses the corresponding diaphragm will bedrawn up against the opposing seat to shut off exhaust from port 52 orfrom passage 66 or 67 to channel 53, or from one or more of them, asmaybe required. The stepping device controls the operation of diaphragms.7 5, 76 and 77 and may be described as follows: a body or block 81 ofany suitable construction is provided with passages 82, 88, 8 1 that arere spectively connected to tubes 85, 86, 87 The inlet orifices orpassages 82, 83, 8 1 are adapted to communicate with atmosphere and arecontrolled by a valve 88 mounted to slide on a seat 81 at the upper edgeof body or block 81, to close or open said passages in succession in onedirection or another as may be required. A spring 89 carried by saidvalve and bearing against a stop 90 serves to maintain said valve on itsseat 81 Means are provided to move said valve back and forth accordingto the degree of tension desired in the action chest, and for suchpurpose I have illustrated pneumatically operating means controlled byatmosphere admitted through the perforations g, h, 11 of the music sheetto the openings ,4, 7a, m, of the tracker, as required. A pneumatic 91is shown mounted on one side of body 81, the movable board 91 of saidpneumatic being shown provided with a projection 92 adapted to act onvalve 88 to move it in one direction, and apneumatic 93 is shown mountedon body 81, its movable board 93 being shown provided with aprojection91 adapted to operate on valve 88 to move it reversely. The projections92 and 94: are movably coupled together by a rod 88 to retain saidprojections against the corresponding ends of valve 88. Passages 95, 96in body 81 respectively communicate with pneumatics 91, 93, wherebyexhaust tension in said pneumatics will cause them to collapse tocorrespondingly slide the valve 88. Passages 95, 96 are normally incommunication with atmosphere, through channels 97, 98, communicatingwith a channel 99, that is open to atmosphere (Fig. 2). At 100 is anexhaust chest in communication with the exhaust means 9 through a tubeor pipe 101, said chest being shown provided between boards 102 and 108,suitably secured on body 81. Passages 10 1 communicate with chest 100.Valves 106 are adapted to coact with seats 105, at the ends of channels97, 98 to control the exhaust or atmosphere there through. Such valvesmay be of any suitable construction, and in the example illustrated thevalves 106 are of a well known character of perforated valves, carriedby diaphragms 107 located over the passages 101 and adapted to coactwlth the seats 105 and with opposmg seats 108, whereby when a valve isagainst its seat 105 exhaust fronr tracker opening j and recess 110 isconnected by tube 118 with tracker opening is, bleeds at 117 providingcommunication between the tubes 115 and 116 and chest 100.

hen an opening 9 or it in the music sheet passes over a tracker openingj or atmosphere passing through tube 115 or 116 will cause the operationor the corre sponding valve 106 to place the pneumatic 91 or 98 incommunication with exhaust chamber 100, whereby such pneumatic will becollapsed to cause movement of valve 88 to the right or left (Fig. 2),as the case may be, for closing or opening the orifices of channels 82,88, 81 in accordance with the then position of valves 88. It is intendedthat valve 88 will move step by step to cover or uncover the orifices ofchannels 82, 83, 81- to cause step by step variation of the degree oftension in the action chest, as from Mid to P or through P to PP, orfrom hill to FF, except when it is desired to instantly vary the tensionto one extreme or another, such as to FF or to P1 in which latterinstance the valve 88 will be moved to one of its extremes withoutintermediate steps. To cause a step by step operation 01' valve 88 Iprovide means to check the move ment thereof by either of the pneumatics91 or 93, according to which of the channel orifices said valve is thento cover or uncover. For such purpose 1 have shown what 1 term apawl'118 adapted to coact with recesses or notches 119, 120 in valve 88(Fig. 2), said notches being in such position that when pawl 118 is innotch 120, valve 88 will close channel 82 only, and when pawl 118 is innotch 119, valve 88 will close channels 82 and 83, and when valve 88 hasbeen moved to the extreme righthand position in Fig. 2, the threechannels 82, 88, 81- will be closed by the valve. Means ar provided tooperate pawl 118 coincident with the operation of either pneumatic 91 or93, for which purpose 1 have shown a pneumatic 121, for convenience.mounted upon body 81, and shown communicating through a tube 122 with achannel 123 in said body, which channel communicates with channel 124 insaid body that in turn has communication with channels 95 and 96.Suitable valves 125, 126 (F 2) control communi cation res ectivclybetween channels 95 and 96 with channel 124, said valves being shownconnected together by a stem 127 to cause them to maintain the relativepositions shown in 2, whereby if exhaust is in channel 96 to collapsepneumatic 93, valve 126 will open communication between channels 96 and124 (and valve 125 will close communication between channels 95 and 124)and thence from pneumatic 121 to cause collapse of the latter. Ifexhaust is in channel, 95 to collapse pneumatic 91 valve 125 will opencommunication between channels 95 and 124, (and valve 126 will closecommunication between channels 96 and 124) and thence from pneumatic 121to cause collapse of the latter. When pneumatic 121 is thus collapsed,in conjunction with one of the pneumatics 91 or 93, pawl 118 will bedrawn down upon the top of valve 88, so that when, say, notch 120registers with the pawl by the then movement of valve 88 to the right(Fig. 2), the pawl will drop into the notch and step further movement ofthe valve. Such action is caused when a supplemental perforation of thenote sheet regise ters with tracker opening j, whereupon channel 82 willbe closed by the movement of valve 88 to the right (Fig. 2) caused bythe then collapse of pneumatic 91. If it were intended to close channel83 by movement of valve 88 to the right, another following spacedaperture 9 in the note sheet would next register with tracker opening tocause a second operation of pneumatic 1 1 with pneumatic 91, (it beingunderstood, however, that as soon as the note sheet covered opening thepneumatic 91 would have been opened to atmosphere and pneumatic 121 aswell, which latter would be expended by the operation of its spring 121to withdraw pawl 118 from notch 120), and the simultaneous operation ofpneumatic 121 and its pawl 118 (in the manner before described),whcreupon said pawl will be caused to enter notch 119 of the valve whenthe latter has covered channels 82 and 83. To prevent pawl 118 fromagain entering the same notch 119 or 120 before valve 88 has started tomove from a set position, I provide means to retard the action ofpneumatic 121 with respect to the action of pneumatic 91 or 93 to enableone of the latter to start movement of valve 88 to the right or left(Fig. 2) sufficiently in advance of the downward movement of pawl 118 tocause the notch 119 or 120 to be out of register with the pawl at thetime it is operated toward the valve by pneumatic 121, and whereby thepawl will ride on the top of the valve until the next notch registerswith the pawl, whereupon the pawl will enter such notch. For suchpurpose the flow from pneumatic 121 to channel 95 or 96 may berestricted or retarded either by the passage 123 being smaller thanchannel 95 or 96, (as illustrated in Fig. 3), or by a suitable length ofconnecting tube 122 between pneumatic 121 and channel 123, the relativearrangements being such, however, that pneumatic 121 will operate pawl118 before neumatic 91 or 93 has moved slide 88 the stance of onecomplete step. hen the music sheet next covers tracker openingatmosphere will be admitted to pneumatics 91 and 121, whereupon thelatter will again expand to raise pawl 111 from pawl 119. If it beintended next to close channel 84 a third consecutive aperture 9 of thenote sheet will register with tracker opening 7' causing a similaroperation of pneumatics 91 and 121, but the pawl 118 would then restupon the top of valve 88, whereupon the valve would be moved to coverchannel 84, and when opening j is next closed by the music sheetatmosphere will be admitted to pneumatics 91 and 121. The extrememovements in either direction of valve 88 are limited by stops 92 and 94shown opposing the projections 92, 94 of pneumatics 91 and 93 (Fig. 2).If it be desired to move valve 88 to the left in Fig. 2, step by step,the aperture or apertures h in the music sheet would register with thetracker opening 7c, causing operation of pneumatics 93 and 121 to returnvalve 88 step by step to the left, the pawl 118, however, in such casefirst entering notch 119 and then entering notch 120, and then restingupon the topiof valve 88 during the final operation of pneumatic 93,whereupon the three channels 82, 83, 84 will be uncovered. It thus willbe understood that for each perforation g or k in the music sheet thatregisters with an opening j or k of the tracker valve 88 will be movedto the right or left a step to cover or uncover, step by step, thechannels 82, 83, 84. In case it is desired to move valve 88 from anyposition to its extreme position at the right or left, a perforation 2'of the music sheet will be caused to register with an opening m of thetracker, with which a tube 128 is in communication. Said tube is adaptedto cause operation of a valve, as hereinafter described to, provideexhaust in a pneumatic 130 (Fig. 3) which is shown mounted upon body 81by the arm 131, and whose movable board 130 is connected by the bar 132with the movable board 121 of pneumatic 121.

.During the step by step operations of valve 88 pneumatic 130 is open toatmosphere, whereby pneumatic 121 then may operate, but when the musicsheet perforation i registers with tracker opening in atmosphere is cutoil from tube 129 and exhaust tension is applied in said tube, by meanshereinafter tube 129.

when atmosphere enters tube 128 through tracker opening 772, as stated,a perforation g or it 01 the music sheet will at the same time registerwith a tracker opening 3' or k, whereupon the pneumatic 91 or 93 willoperate and will move valve 88 to its extreme right or left positionwithout being stopped by pawl 118; The perforation i in the music sheetwill be out slightly in advance of the companion perforation g or it tocause exhaust in pneumatic 130 before suction in pneumatic 121.

The stepping devices described are so arranged as to cause atmosphere tobe admitted to the recesses 80, 79 and 78 respectively to causeoperation of their corresponding diaphragms to close against the seats74, 73, 72 respectively, and whereby when atmosphere is admitted tochannels 82, 83, 84 exhaust will be applied in the recesses 80, 79, 78to withdraw their corresponding diaphragms. For such purpose I providethe following arrangements; The tubes 85, 86, 87 respectivelycommunicate with recesses 133, 134, 135, in a board 139 (Fig. 4) overeach of which recesses a diaphragm 137 is located. Said diaphragms arein a chest 138 provided between board 136 and a board 139, which chest,through a tube 140, has communication with the ex haust means 9, as byconnection with tube 101 (Figs. 1 and 4). The diaphragms 137 throughtheir stems 141, normally operate perforated valves 142 to push themfrom corresponding seats 143 (Fig. The perforated valves 142 are carriedby diaphragms 144 that are opposed to corresponding openings 145 aroundthe seats 143, which valves and diaphragms operate in a space 146 thatis between boards 139 and 147, and open to atmosphere. Opposing each ofsaid valves the board 147 is provided with recesses 148, 149, 150. Therecess 148 is-connected by tube 152 with recess 80; the recess 149 isconnected by tube 153 with recess 79; the recess 150 is connected bytube 154 with recess 78; and a recess 151 is connected with tube 129,the recess 136 of board 139 that opposes the recess 151 being connectedto tube 128. When air enters tube 128 from tracker opening on thecorresponding diaphragm 137 will be drawn up to operate thecorresponding valve 142, to connect exhaust chamber 138 through saidvalve with recess 151 and thence though Such exhaust will act tocollapse pneumatic 130 to then prevent the operation of pneumatic 121,as before stated. With the arrangements described with respect to Fig.4, if valve 88 is pushed entirely F or such pur to the left in Fig. 2,thereby leaving the orifices of channels 82, 83, 84 exposed to atmosphere, the diaphragms 137 of valves 142 corresponding to said channelswill be operated to push said valves from their seats 143 to their seatsaround recess 148, 149,.and 150, thereby placing the tubes 152, 153 and154 incommunication with exhaust in chamber 138, whereby allot thediaphragms 75, 76 and 77 will be drawn back opening the correspondingseats 7 2, 73 and 74 for communication with exhaust channel 53, thusallowing the full degree of exhaust that is maintained in the exhaustmeans 9 to act upon the player action. 11 it is now desired to reducethe degree of tension in the player action, a perforation g of the musicsheet will register with tracker opening j, and atmosphere then enteringtube 115 will cause diaphragm 111 to operate the correspond ing valve106 to move to its seat 105, placing channel 97 in communication with exhaust chamber 100, whereupon exhaust tension in channel 95 will causecollapse of pneumatic 91 to move valve 88 to close channel 82 fromatmosphere, and valve 125 will move to communicate exhaust tensionthrough tube 122 to pneumatic 121 to draw down pawl 118, the latter thendropping into notch 120 to retain valve 88 in such position. Atmosphereis now shut off from channel 82, and from the corresponding recess 133,and by reason of bleed 155 (Fig. 4) that provides communication betweenrecess 133 and exhaust chest'138, diaphragm 137 will allow valve 142 tomove from its seat at recess 148 to its chest seat 143, allowingatmosphere to enter tube 152, thereby causing shut-off diaphragm 77 tobe drawn against the port seat 74 to cut off direct passage of the hightension exhaust from channel 51, then allowing only such tension throughthe MF pneumatic 57 correspond ing to the tension of its spring (thetension of such spring in the example illustrated being intended to behigher than the tension of the springs for P and PP of the pneumatic 56and 58 respectively). The tension of the MF pneumatic 57 thenpredominates, and the movableboards or" the pneumat-ics 56 and 58 willbe heldcollapsed against their corresponding seats 69 and 71. Such MFtension through pneumatic 57 will then .be the same in the action chest.Such MF chest, such as a further lowering of such tension-as to 1 thesucceeding perforation g in the music sheet will register with the saidtracker opening to cause pneumatic 91 to move valve 88 anotherstep-tothe right (Fig. 2) in manner before described, the pawl 118 nextentering notch 119 of valve 88, whereupon said valve will close thechannel 83. The valve 142 corresponding to tube 86 now will be operatedin manner previously described with respect to valve 142 correspondingto channel 82, to place tube 153 in communication with atmospherethrough channel 146, whereupon atmosphere entering tube 153 will causediaphragm 76 to close against seat 73 to shut 01f communication of MFpneumatic 57 with exhaust channel 53, the diaphragm 77 still remainingset in its previous position by reason of the continued closing ofchannel 82 by valve 88. The FF and the MF tensions now both being shutoff from channel 53, the result is that tension is drawn from the playeraction to that reduced degree which compares to the tension of spring 59of the P pneumatic 56, such pneumatic now coming into action because theMF pneumatic 57 has been rendered inactive by being cut ofl from theexhaust chest 53. The tension in the action chest remains as last statedso long as valve 88 remains set closing channels 82 and 83 fromatmosphere. The last step toward low degree tension in the action chestwill be effected by reason of another succeeding aperture 9 in the musicsheet registering with the said tracker opening j, whereby (after pawl118 has been released from the valve 88) pneumatic 91 will be againoperated to cause valve 88 to close channel 84, whereupon the valve 142corresponding to tube 87 will be operated to cause atmosphere to entertube 154, whereupon the diaphragm 75 will close 72 and shut 011? the Ppneumatic 56 from exhaust channel 53 (the three dia-,

phragms 75, 76, 77 now being against their seats, whereby direct tensionfrom the action chest will be shut off at 74 and also tension throughthe MF expression pneumatic 57 and P expression pneumatic 56 will beshut off) leaving only the PP pneumatic 58 for action, (which has thelowest spring tension), and the remaining passage 68 open to channel51,-, which passage is never shut off to said channel, for if it werethe mo- Inent elapsing between changes of tension would stop the playingaction. The exhaust then will be drawn from the action chest only fromchannel 51 through pneumatic 58 to chest and in accordance with thetension of spring 61 of said pneumatic the lowest exhaust tension in theaction chest will be efiected. To raise the tension one or moreperforations h in the music sheet will register with the opening k ofthe tracker, causing operation. of pneumatic 93 by reason of airentering the opening 70 to cause of the corresponding valve 106, theposition of valves 125, 126 will be reversed, valve 126 now being opento channel 96 and valve 125 closing at channel 95 to cause operation ofpneumatic 121 with pneumatic 93. As channel 84 now will have been openedto atmosphere the air entering recess 135 from tube 87 will operate thecorresponding valve 142 to close atmosphere from tube 154, and open saidtube to exhaust in chest 138 through said valve, whereupon diaphragmwill be drawn from seat 72 to open pneumatic 56 to channel 53, and whena succeeding perforation It in the music sheet registers with trackeropening k channel 83 will be open to atmosphere again causing operationof pneumatic 93, the corresponding valve 142, as last described, openingtube 153 to suction in chest 138, causing diaphragm 76 to be drawn fromits seat 73, and opening the MF pneumatic 57 to channel 53; and when anext succeeding perforation h in the music sheet registers with trackeropening is, atmosphere will be admitted to channel 82, causing furtheroperation of pneumatic 93, and air through tube 85 will cause operationof the corresponding valve 142, before described, opening tube 152 tosuction in chest 138, causing diaphragm 77 to be drawn from seat 74, andopening direct communication for FF tension between channel 51 andchannel 53, whereupon slide valve 88 will be in the position shown inFig. 2.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated modified means as a substitute for thetension regulating devices having the pneumatics 56, 57, 58, beforedescribed, and for such purpose I have illustrated a variable tensionexpression bellows or pneumatic 156, provided with means operated by thepneumatics 91 and 93 for causing variation in the degree of tensionwithin the action chest maintained through said bellows from tube orpipe at. The pipe 55 that connects with the exhaust means 9 is providedwithin bellows 156 with a port seat 157 adapted to coact with a flapvalve 158 within the bellows. Said seat is shown provided with a bleed159. The flap valve is pivotally supported at 160 and is connected bytoggle levers 161 and 162 with the movable board 156 of the bellows,said levers being shown pivoted together at 163. Lever 161 is shownpivotally connected with valve 158 and lover 162 shown pivotallyconnected with board 156, and lever 161 is shown pivotally con- Fig. 5,(the pneumatic 91 then being collapsed and the pneumatic 93 then beingexpanded), the lowest tension is maintained in bellows 156 and in theaction chest, since the flap valve 158 has only a short distance to movebefore it covers the port or orilice of seat 157, against which thenormal full expansion of helical spring 165 oaerates. When the movableboard of pneumatic 93 is next caused to move by partial collapse of saidpneumatic, and the movable board of pneumatic 91 starts to open orexpand, being then pushed by valve 88 or rod 8%, the rod or wire 161will be pushed into bellows 156 causing angular movement of togglelevers 161, 162, and the approximate previous distance between valve 158and the seat 157 of the bellows is maintained under suction, hence said7 board 156 has to move a greater distance against the increasingtension of the spring 165 before the valve will touch the port ororifice of seat 157, hence higher or increas ing tension is maintainedin the bellows 156, thus causing increase of tension in the actionchest, and so on in the same direction according to the movement ofprojection 92 of pneumatic 91 in accordance with the previouslydescribed stepby-step or complete operation to an extreme of valve 88,each such step or extreme movement causing increasing tension in theaction ch st. correspondingly, when projection 92 is moved in theopposite direction by reason of the collapse of pneumatic 91, and theexpansion of pneumatic 93, the operation of the toggle levers will bereversed, and decreasing tension in the action chest will be caused bythe decreasing tension of spring 165 in manner reverse to that describedregarding the operation during increase of tension in the action chestand bellows 156. When the pneumatic or bellows illustrated in Fig. 5 isutilized in conjunction with the stepping device, the channels 82, 83, 81- and the devices controlled thereby will be omitted, and the member 88in such case will not act as a valve but as part of the means forinsuring step by step control of pneumatics 91, 93 for step by stepcontrol of the valve of the bellows 156 for varying the tension in theaction chest.

While I have illustrated and described means whereby four tensions inthe action chest are provided for, it will be understood that more orless varying, tensions therein be effected through the first describedtension regulating devices or through the modification thereof, asillustrated in Fig. 5.

The manner of operation of my improvements may be described as follows:the music sheet 7) having the usual note perforations f will be providedwith additional perforations c, d, e, and g, h, 2', preferablyrespectively near opposite sides of the sheet, in accordance with theexpression desired to be produced. in the rendering of the compositionrepresented by the perforations f. in the example illustrated in Fig. 6,it will be understood that the four perforations 9 shown near trackerbar Z are so located in orcer to assure foursuccessive operationsthrough the tracker orifice j, for stepping the stepping devicesentirely to the right in Fig. 2, to assure a common starting positionfor expression changes which may be desired in the rendition of a piece.The perforations 7t cause increase of tension from the tensionpreviously set by reason of the perforations 9, hence if an increase oftension is desired for the first note represented through theperforation n of the music sheet the perforation It would first passover tracker opening 7's to cause increase of ten sion in the actionchest, and thereafter perforations n will cause playing corresponding tosuch tension until a different tension is desired, whereupon if thetension is to be raised a succeeding perforation 7b of the music sheetwill pass over tracker opening is, and then if the tension is to belowered a further succeeding sheet opening 9 will register withtracker'opening j, and so on in accordance with variations desired. Ifat any time in the rendering of the composition it is desired to changethe then set ten sion in the action chest to its high or its lowextreme, one of the music sheet openings i would register with thetracker opening m to permit shift of valve member 88 to its extremeposition, to the right or left in Fig. 2, according to whether it bedesired to lower or raise the tension in the action chest to theextreme, in conjunction with one of the perforations g or ii. Theperforations z' are located in operative relation to the perforations gor 76 so that when one of the last named perforations passes over atracker opening y or is a perforation i will simultaneously pass'overthe tracker opening m, but the perforation 2' is cut in the music sheetwith its forward edge slightly in advance of the corresponding edge ofthe per forations g or it, so that tension may be exerted in pneumatic180 before tension is exerted in pneumatic 121. In Fig. 6 the musicsheet is shown provided with a perforation 9 adjacent to a perforation iwith the intention of lowering the tension in the action chest to itslow extreme. If it were intended to raise the tension in the actionchest to its high extreme, one of the perforations i would be locatedadjacent. to a perforation h in the relation shown with respect toperforation g. The arrangement described pertains to a divided ornondivided action chest. If a composition has a melody note struck byitself without any accompanying notes being struck at the same time, themusic sheet with only the perforations g, h, 2' will be sufficient foropera tion in conjunction with a non-divided action chest to accent themelody in the composition, but should the melody note strike at the sametime with other accompanying notes it will be understood that a dividedaction chest will be provided in the musical instrument, whereby thatsection of the chest corresponding to such melody note will be allowedto have unrestricted communication with the tube a, and the tension ofthe other two sections will be restricted. The same idea applies withrespect to the hammer rail sections where divided hammer rail devicesare provided in the musical instrument, and the section of the hammerrail corresponding to such melody notes will be left unmoved and theother two sections will be moved to the strings to reduce the blows ofthe hammers. Such operations are effected by reason of the perforationsc, d, e, of the music sheet, cooperating, as required, with theadditional openings 47, 48, 49 of the tracker. Assuming, in the exampleillustrated in Fig. 6, that the melody note 0 and the accompaniment noteq are to be struck at the same time and note 0 is to be accented, theperforations c and e of the music sheet will simultaneously cooperatewith the tracker orifices 47 and 49, whereby, through the action chestselecting mechanism before described, the bass and treble pneumatics 1Sand 20 will become operative by reason of their respective diaphragms 37and 89 being pushed against the corresponding seats 34, 36, therebycausing reduction of tension in the chest sections 6 and 8, leaving themelody or.tenor section 7 unrestricted through tube a to the generaltension controlling devices. In the example illustrated, by reason ofthe perforation h of the music sheet shown a little ahead transverselyof the sheet of the melody note 0 the tension will correspond to MF, andsuch melody note will be struck with. MF loudness. If the melody shouldrun into the treble section, and it is desired to leave the bass andtenor sections restricted, such treble note being indicated at 1', thebass and tenor sections of the action chest will be restricted by reasonof perforations c and (Z of the music sheet registering with trackeropenings 47 and 49, whereby in manner just described with regard to the.

tension selecting devices, the pneumatics 18 and '19 wi lbe caused tooperate to restrict the tension in sections 6 and 7 of the action chest,leaving the section 8 thereof unrestricted. to the general tensioncontrolling devices.

It will be understood that if the melody note or notes to be accented bepresent in the bass section, then the tenor and treble sections arerestricted by reason of appropriate perforations d and e in the musicsheet, and the perforations c, d and e Wlll be arranged singly or forjoint operation with the corresponding tracker opening in accordancewith the variations desired in the parts of the special piece to berendered. Hence, it will be understood that in accordance with theexpression desired in a musical composition, the perforations c, d, eand 7, h, i will be arranged with respect to the usual note perforationsin transverse alinement in the music sheet. The openings 9, h, i in themusic sheet need be relatively short, whereas the openings 0, d, 6 musthave such operative length, either as a single perforation or as aseries of continuous perforations in the sheet, as corresponds to theperiod of time during which a given section of the action chest is to berestricted in tension. The foregoing will be obvious when it is borne inmind that after an operation of the stepping devices they remain setuntil again operated, because they may be operated by a relatively shortperforation g, h or z in the music sheet, whereas with respect to theperforations 0, d, e, the corresponding pneumatics 18, 19, 20 are onlyoperative so long as a perforation c, d, or c registers with a trackeropening 47, 48 or 49, hence a relatively long perforation or series ofshorter perforations 0, d, or e are required in the music sheet for theoperation of the corresponding pneumatic 18, 19 or 20 for the desiredperiod of restriction of tension in the corresponding section of theaction chest for a required period of time.

Having now described my invention what I claim is 1. A step by stepcontroller comprising a body having a plurality of channels, a valveadapted to control said channels, pneumatics 105 to operate said valvein opposite directions, means separate from said pneumatics andoperative coincidently with said pneumatics to retain the valve in anintermediate position as moved by one or the other of said 0 pneumatics,and means to release the retaining means from the valve.

2. A step by step controller comprising a body having a plurality ofchannels, a

valve adapted to control said channels, pneumatics to operate said valvein opposite directions, means separate from said pneu-. matics andoperative coincidently with said pneumatics to retain the valve in anintermediate position as moved by one or the other of said pneumatics,and means to prevent operation of said retaining means to permit thevalve to be moved to either of its extremes by either of saidpneumatics.

3. A step by step controller comprising a body having a plurality ofchannels, a valve to control said channels, pneumatics to move saidvalve in opposite directions to the extreme limit of its movementswithout stopping, another pneumatic, and means controlled by saidpneumatic to cause the valve to stop at positions intermediate saidextremes in either direction.

4:. A step by step controller comprising a body having a plurality ofchannels, a valve to control said channels, pneumatics to operate saidvalve in opposite directions, means to cause collapse 01'? saidpneumatics separately, a retainer "for the valve, a pneumatic separatefrom the first named pneumatics for operating said retainer, and meansto place said pneumatic in communication with exhaust tension.

5. A step by step controller comprising a body having a plurality ofchannels, a valve to control said channels, pneumatics to operate saidvalve in opposite directions, means to cause collapse of said pneumaticsseparately, a retainer for the valve, a pneumatic separate from thefirst named pneumatics for operating said retainer, means to place saidpneumatic in communication with exhaust tension, and means to preventoperation of said second named pneumatic.

6. A step by step controllercomprising a body having a plurality ofchannels, avalve to control said channels, pneumatics to operate saidvalve in opposite directions, means to cause collapse of said pneumaticssepa rately, a retainer for the valve, a pneumatic for operating saidretainer, means to place said pneumatic in communication with exhausttension, a fourth pneumatic connected with the third named pneumatic,and means to cause the fourth named pneumatic to prevent operation ofthe third named pneumatic.

7. A step by step controller comprising a body having a plurality ofchannels, a valve to control said channels, pneumatics to operate saidvalve in opposite directions, valve mechanisms to control exhaust forthe pneumatics, means to cause separate opera tion of the valvemechanisms for each of said pneumatics, a retainer for said first namedvalve comprising a pneumatic having a pawl to stop the movement of thevalve, and means to place said pneumatic in communication with each ofmechanisms.

8. A step by step controller comprising a body having plurality ofchannels, a valve to control said channels, pneumatics to opcrate saidvalve in opposite directions, valve mechanisms to control exhaust forthe pneumatics, means to cause separate operation oi the valvemechanisms for each of said pneumatics, a retainer for said first namedated with the second pneumatic to prevent operation of the latter andpawl.

said valve 9. A step by step controller comprising a body having aplurality of channels, a valve to control said channels, pneumatics tooperate said valve, channels communicating with said pneumatics andhaving a passage therebetween, valves to alternately control saidpassage, valve mechanisms to control exhaust from said pneumaticsthrough said channels respectively, a pneumatic in communication withsaid passage, and a pawl operated by said pneumatic to stop the movementof the valve by either of the first named pneumatics.

10. A step by step controller comprising a body having a plurality ofchannels, a valve to control. said channels, pneumatics to operate'saidvalve, channels communicating with said pneumatics and having a passagetherebetween, valves to alternately control said passage, valvemechanisms to con trol exhaust from said pneumatics through saidchannels respectively, a' pneumatic in communication with said passage,and a pawl operated by said pneumatic, said first named valve havingspaced notches engaged by said pawl to step movement or" the valve byeither of the first named pneumatics.

11. A step by step controller comprising a body having a plurality ofchannels, a valve to control said channels, pneumatics to operate saidvalve, channels communicat ing with said pneumatics and having apassagetherebetween, valves to alternately control said passage, valvemechanisms to control exhaust from said pneumatics through said channelsrespectively, a pneumatic in communication with said passage, a pawloperated by said pneumatic, said first named valve having spaced notchesengaged by said pawl to stop movement of the valve by either of thefirst named pneumatics, a third pneumatic operatively connected withsaid pawl to prevent its movement by the second pneumatic, and means tocause e2:- haust tension in the third pneumatic.

12. step by step controller comprising a body having a plurality ofchannels, a valve adapted to control said channelrnpi "Fv' matics tooperate said valve in opposite di rections, a seconc pneumatic, separatefrom the first named pneumatics a pawl. operative thereby to coact withthe valve to stop the same at intermediate positions of travel, andmeans to place the second pnea matic in communication with either of thefirst named pneumatics to operate therewith to cause operation of pawlto set the valve, in combination with a tracker having usual noteorifices and provided .ith openings additional thereto for cooperationwith perforations in a traveling music sheet additional to the usualnote perforations therein, separate valve mechanisms to control each ofsaid pneumatics, said valve mechanisms being respectively connected withcorresponding additional tracker openings for causing operation of thecorresponding pneumatic,

13. A step by step controller comprising a body having a plurality ofchannels, a valve adapted to control said channels, pneumatics tooperate said valve in opposite directions, a second pneumatic separatefrom the first named pneumatics, a pawl operative thereby to coact withthe valve to stop the same at intermediate positions of its travel,means to place the second named pneumatic in communication with eitherof the first named pneumatics to operate therewith to cause operation ofthe pawl to set the valve, in combination with a tracker having usualnote orifices and provided with openings additional thereto forcooperation with perforations a traveling music sheet additional to theusual note perforations therein, separate valve mechanisms to controleach of said pneumatics, said valve mechanisms being respectivelyconnected with corresponding additional tracker openings for causingoperation of the corresponding pneumatic, a third pneumatic operativelyassociated with the second pneumatic, tension producing means, valvemechanism controlled by tension in such tension producing means and inturn operatively associated with said third pneumatic, said valve mechanism being also in communication with one of said additional trackeropenings for oporation of said valve mechanism through cooperation ofsaid additional tracker opening with perforations in the traveling musicsheet for causing exhaust tension in the third pneumatic to preventoperation of the second pneumatic.

14:. A step by step controller comprising a body having a plurality ofchannels, a valve adapted to control said channels, pneumatics tooperate said valve in opposite directions, a pneumatic separate from thefirst named pneumatics, means operative by the separate pneumatic toretain the valve in an intermediate position as moved by either of saidfirst named pneumatics, in combination with a tracker having usual noteorifices and provided with openings additional thereto for cooperationwith perforations in a traveling music sheet additional to the usualnote perforations thereof, valve mechanisms respectively connected withsaid channels, tension producing means operatively associated with saidvalve mech anisms, an action chest, tension controlling means betweenthe action chest and the tension producing means, and means operativelyconnecting said tension controlling means with said valve mechanisms tocontrol the degree of tension in the action chest according to therelation of the first named valve to said channels.

15. A step by step controller comprising a body having a plurality ofchannels, a valve adapted to control said channels, pneumatics tooperate said valve in opposite directions, means operative coincidentlywith said pneumatics to retain the valve in an intermediate position asmoved by either of said pneumatics, in combination with a tracker havingthe usual note orifices and provided with openings additional theretofor cooperation with perforations in a traveling music sheet additionalto the usual note perforations thereof, valve mechanisms respectivelyconnected with said channels, tension producing means, a divided actionchest, tension controlling means associated with the tension producingmeans, means to select the sections of the action chest as requiredlocated between the action chest and the tension producing means, meansoperatively connecting said tension controlling means with said valvemechanisms, to control the degree of tension in the action chestaccording to the relation of said valve mechanisms to said channels,said tracker having other additional openings for cooperation with otheradditional perforations in the music sheet, said last named trackeropenings being operatively connected with said means for selectingsections of the action chest.

16. A step by step controller comprising a body havin a plurality ofchannels, a valve adapted to control said channels, pneumatics tooperate said valve in opposite directions, means operative coincidentlywith said pneumatics to retain the valve in an intermediate position as'moved by either of said pneumatics, in combination with a trackerhaving usual note orifices and provided with openings additional theretofor cooperation with perforations in a traveling music sheet additionalto the usual note perforations thereof, valve mechanisms respectivelyconnected with said channels, tension producing means operativelyassociated with said valve mechanisms, an action chest, tensioncontrolling means between the action chest and the tension producingmeans, and means operatively connecting said tension controlling meanswith said va ve mechanisms to control the degree of tension in theaction chest according to the relation of the first named valve to saidchannels, a pneumatic opera-- tively associated with said retainingmeans and with one of said valve mechanisms, and means providingcommunication between said valve mechanism and an additional trackeropening for cooperation with an additional music sheet perforation toallow operation of the first named valve when such perforation registerswith the lastnamed tracker opening.

17. The combination of an action chest, with a tracker having usual noteorifices and provided with openings additional thereto for cooperationwith perforations in a traveling music sheet additional to the usualnote )Ql'lOI'ittlOllS therein, tension producing means, tensioncontrolling means b tween the action chest and the tension producingmeans comprising a plurality of pneumatics connected with the tensionproducing means and with the action chest, means to cut oil? directcommunication from such tension producing means to the action chest, andto cut off communication of certain of said pneumatics with said tensionproducing means, and devices operative step by step for controlling theoperation of the said direct tension cut-oil means and the operation orsaid pneumatics, said step by step devices being operatively associatedwith. said additional tracker openings for step by step operation inaccordance with said additional perforations in the music sheet.

18. The combination of an action chest, with a tracker having usual noteorifices and provided with openings additional thereto for cooperationwith perforations in a traveling music sheet additional to the usualnote perforations therein, tension producing means, tension controllingmeans between the action chest and the tension pro ducing meanscomprising a plurality of pneumatics connected with the tension producing means and with the action chest, means to cut off directcommunication from such tension producing means to the action chest andto cutoff communication of certain off said pneumatics with said tensionproducing means, and devices operative step by step for controlling theoperation of the said direct tension cut-oil means and the operation ofsaid pneumatics, said step by step devices being operatively associatedwith said additional tracker openings for step by step operation inaccordance with said additional perforations in the music sheet, andmeans to cause said step by step devices to operate to extreme positions"from any position.

19. The combination of an action chest, with a tracker having usual noteorifices and provided with openings additional thereto for cooperationwith perforations in a traveling music sheet additional to the usualnote perforations therein, tension producing means, tension controllingmeans between the action chest and the tension producing means,comprising a body having a channel communicating with the tensionproducing means and having a channel communicating with the actionchest,said channel having a port communicating with the first named channel,pneumatically operating means to control said port, a plurality ofpneumatics in communication with said channels, pneumatically operatingmeans to control the communication between one of said pneumatics andthe first named channel, and devices operatively associated with saidpneumatically operating means and with said additional tracker openingscontrolled by said additional perforations in the music sheetcooperating with said addi tional tracker openings for changing thedegree of communication between said channels with respect to saidpneumatics.

20. The combination of an action chest, with a tracker having usual noteorifices and provided with openings additional thereto for cooperationwith perforations in a traveling music sheet additional to the usualnote perforations therein, tension producing means, tension controllingmeans between the action chest and the tension producing means,comprising a body having a channel communicating with the tensionproducing.

means and having a channel communicating with the action chest, saidchannel having a port communicating with the first named channel,pneumatically operating means to control said port, a plurality ofpneumatics in communication with said channels, pneumatically operatingmeans to control the communication between one of said pneumatics andthe first named channel, and de vices operative step by step forcontrolling the operation of said pneumatically operat ing means forchanging the degree of communication between said channels with respectto said pneumatics, said step by step devices being operativelyassociated with said additional tracker openings for step by stepoperation in accordance with said additional perforations in the musicsheet.

21. The combination of a divided action chest, with a trackerhavingusual note oriices and provided with openings additional theretofor cooperation with perforations in a traveling music sheet additionalto the usual note perforations therein, tension producing means, tensioncontrolling means between the action chest and the tension producingmeans, comprising a body having a channel communicating with the tensionproducing means and having a channel communicating with the actionchest, said channel having a port communicating with the first namedchannel, pneumatically operating means to control said port, a pluralityof pneumatics in communication with said channels, pneumaticallyoperating means to control the communication between one of saidpneumatics and the first named channel, devices operatively associatedwith said pneumatically operating means and with said additional trackeropenings controlled by said additional perforationsin the music sheetcooperating with said additional tracker openings for changing thedegree of communication between said channels with respect to saidpneumatics, means to select the sections of the action chest as requiredand in communication with said sections and with. said second namedchannel, said tracker having other additional openings for cooperationwith other additional perforations in the music sheet, said last namedtracker openings being operatively connected with said means forselecting sections of the action chest.

22. The combination of an action chest, with a tracker having usual noteorifices and provided with openings additional thereto for cooperationwith perforations in a traveling music sheet additional to the usualnote perforations therein, tension producing means, tension controllingmeans between the action chest and the tension producing means,comprising a body having a channel communicating with the tensionproducing means and having a channel communicating with the actionchest, said channel having a port communicating with the first namedchannel, pneumatically operating means to control said port, a pluralityof pneumatics in direct communication with the second named channel andhavin ported seats in communication with the ofiher channel, one of saidported seats communicating with. the second named channel, pneumaticallyoperating means to control said ported seats, and devices controlledthrough said additional tracker openings in accordance with theadditional perforations in the music sheet for controlling the operationof said pneumatically operating means.

23. The combination of an action chest, with a tracker having usual noteorifices and provided with openings additional thereto for cooperationwith perforations in a traveling music sheet additional to the usualnote perforations therein, tension producing means, tension controllingmeans between the action chest and the tension producing means,comprising a body having a channel communicating with the tensionproducing means and having a channel communicating with the actionchest, said channel having a port communicating with the first namedchannel, pneumatically operating means to control said port, a pluralityof pneumatics in direct communication with the second named channel andhaving ported seats in communication with the other channel, one of saidported seats communicating with the second named channel, pneumaticallyoperating means to control said ported seats, and devices operative stepby step for controlling the operation of said pneumatically operatingmeans step by step, said step by step devices being operativelyassociated with said tracker openings for step by step operation inaccordance with said additional perforations in the music sheet.

24. The combination of a divided action chest, with a tracker havingusual note or fices and provided with openings additional thereto forcooperation with perforations in a traveling music sheet additional tothe usual note perforations therein, tension producing means, tensioncontrolling means between the action chest and the tension praducingmeans, comprising a body having a channel communicating with the tensionproducing means and having a channel conimunicating with the actionchest, said channel having a port communicating with the first namedchannel, pneumatically operating means to control said port, a pluralityof pneumatics in direct communication with the second named channel andhaving ported seats in communication with the other channel, one of saidported seats communicating with the second named channel, pneumaticallyoperating means to control said ported seats, and devices controlledthrough said additional tracker openings in accordance with theadditional perforations in the music sheet for controlling the operationof said pneumatically operating means, means to select the sections ofthe action chest as required and in communication with said sections andwith said second named channel, said tracker having other additionalopenings for cooperation with other additional perforations in the musicsheet, said last named tracker openings being operatively connected withsaid means for selecting sections of the action chest.

25. The combination of a divided action chest, with a tracker havingusual note orifices and provided with openings additional thereto forcooperation with perforations in a traveling music sheet additional tothe usual note perforations therein, tension producing means, tensioncontrolling means between the action chest and the tension producingmeans, comprising a body having a channel communicating with the tensionproducing means and having a channel communicating with the actionchest, said channel having a port communicating with the first namedchannel, pneumatically operating means to control said port, a pluralityof pneumatics in direct communication with the second named channel andhaving ported seats in communication with the other channel, one of saidported seats communicating with the second named channel, pneumaticallyoperating means to control said ported seats, and devices operative stepby step for controlling the operation of said pneumatically operatingmeans step by step, said step by step devices being operativelyassociated with said tracker openings for step by step operation inaccordance with said additional perforations in the music sheet, meansto select the sections of the action chest as required and incommunication with are, 1356,

said sections and with said second named Signed at New York city, in thecounty of channel, said tracker hevlng other addl- New York and State ofNew York, this 24th 131011211 openlngs i'or cocperatlon with other dayof January, A. D. 1917.

additionei perforations in the music sheet, LOUIS H. MAIER. sald lastnamed tracker openings belng op- Whtnesses: eratlvely connected withsaid means for se- T. F. BOURNE,

lecting sections of the action chest. MARIE F. WAINRIGHT.

